Door for automobiles



April 26, 1932.

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- to a point suitable for and more especially to an door for vehiclebodies,

Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED Isra-TES PATENT OFFICE MOTORS COMPANY,`OFPASADENA, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OFDELAWARE Doon Fon AU'roMoBrLEsappuation mea March 19, 1930. serial-No. 437,047.

This invention relates to vehicle bodies, improved type of of the typecommonly employed upon closed automobiles.

An object of the' invention is the provision of a door includinga-ndetlected portion extending angularly from the body portion of thedoor to close a complementaryportion of the door-opening which extends`into the roof ofthe vehicle. y i A further object is to provide meansfor establishing a ti ht seal between the edges of the door and theedges of the door-opening, so as to prevent leakage therepast, into theinterior of the vehicle.

Another object is to provide a gutter extending below the meeting edgesof the door and roof, and arranged to deflect any liquid that leaks pastthe sealing means, so as to lestablish positive means for preventing theentrance of such leakage into the interior of the vehicle. A stillfurther object is to provide a re-v silient pad on the door, and/or onthe wall and roof, arranged to establish a seal between the door andthe` rigid portion of the body, sufliciently tight `to prevent drafts ofair from entering the interior of the vehicle when the door is closed;

A further object is to provide draining means for conducting liquid fromthe gutter the discharge thereof.

The invention possesses other objects and f advantageousfeatures, someof which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a portion of an automobile, the body ofwhich is constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of that portion of the automobile bodyadjacent the upper part of the door-opening, the door having beenremoved to better disclose the construction of the door janib.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the door and the roof of thevehicle body. The plane of section is indicated by the line 3--3 of Fig.1, and the direction of view bythe arrows.

Fig. i is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the line -l4 of Fig. 2,with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 5 isa top plan view of a portion of the vehicle body,

the upper portion of and showing the manner in which the deflectedportion of the door c ooperates with the roof in closingithat portionI1of the door-opening which is within the roo The present day tendency inthe construction of automobile bodies,is toward making them extremelylow, particularly inthe case of the heavier, more expensive vehicles. Tosuch an extent has this tendency been developed that in the case of manyautomobile bodies, the roof of a closed car is so low that thedoor-openings are too small to permit entrance into and exit from thevehicle without inconvenience. The present invention contemplates avehicle body construction in which each of the several door-openings isextended past the line of juncture of the wall and the roof, so that aportion of the dooropening extends into the roof itself.- The doorassociated with such a door-opening, is provided with a deiected portionat the upper end thereof, complementary to that portion of thedoor-opening whichv is within the roof of the vehicle, with the resultthat even though the door opening has been made sufficiently large topermit facile entrance into, and exit from a vehicle in which the roofis exceedingly low, it is entirely possible to establish just as tight aseal between the door and the edges of its opening asin the case of theconventional door which is contained within a wall when the door isclosed.

Specifically describing that embodiment of the invention which atpresent appears to. be the mostV practical, I have shown my invention ashaving been applied to an automobile body indicated at-6, and providedwith front and rear doors 7 and 8 respectively, hinged to a side wall lof the body 6. The body 6 also includes a roof 11 extending angularlyfrom the wall 9, the wall 9 being preferably truly `LA MAR BRESEE, OFFASADENA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO WALTER M. MURPHY l vertical and theroof 11 horizontal. A dooropening 12, 13, is formed in the wall 6 andeach of the doors 7 and 8 respectively, but instead of being constructedin the conventional manner, each of these openings extends beyond theline of juncture of the wall 9 and the roof 411, so that a portion 14 ofeach dooropening 12, 13, lies within the roof 1,1.

Each of the doorsl'?, 8, which preferably is provided with aconventional window 16, comprises a body portion 17 and a top, deiectedportion 18 extending angularlyfrom the body portion 17, the anglebetween these two portions of the door 7' preferably coinciding with theanglebetween the wall 9 and the roof 11 of the vehicle body 6.

' As it is customary to face the outer surface of a vehicle body and thedoors thereof, with sheet metal such as that indicated at 19, it isconvenient to extend the upper edge 21 of the sheet metal 19 beyond theedge of the deflected portion 18 of each door, and to form a com`plementary socket 22-in the roof 11 adjacent 4the edge 23 of the portion14 of the door-opening-the parts being so proportioned and anranged thatwhen the door is closed, the edge 21 serves as a flange seating withinthe socket 22 and extending past Ithe engaging faces of the upper edgeof the door and the door-opening. A gasket 24 of leather, rubber, feltor other suitable resilient material, is secured preferably to the edge26 of the deflected portion 18 of each door, in position to engage theupper portion of the edge 23 of the dooropening, the purpose being toestablish as nearly as tight a' seal as is practical, between the edges26 and 23 of the door and door-openin respectively.

lhe lower face of the deiiected portion 18 of each door, is relieved toform a recess 27 which is disposed between the edge 23 of thedoor-opening and the deflected portion 18vof the door itself, when thedoor is closed. A portion of this recess is occupied by a pad 28composed of asuitable, preferably resilient stuffing material 29,covered by upholstery 31 such'as leather, mohair, orany suitable fabric.

Also lying within the recess 27 when the door is closed, is a gutter32.l This gutter is preferably formed of suitable non-corrosive Y`metal, and is secured to the upper edge 23 of the door-openingextending with respect to the vehicle body and disposed immediatelybelowlthat ortion of the edge 23 which is engaged by t e gasket 26.Furthermore, the parts are so proportioned that when the door is closed,the upholstery 31 of the pad 28, presses resiliently against the upperouter edge of the gutter 32. The pad 28 also is adapted'to press againstthe outer face of a pad 33 secured to the edge 23v of the door-o`peningbelow the gutter 32, and thus establish a seal between the upper ed e ofthe door and the door-opening, sufficient y slot 4l, there willongitudinally rom the body thereofand receivable will be the lowest andfarthest protruding' portion of the edge of the door-opening, and

consequently, that portion thereof against which a persons head is mostapt to be struck under such circumstances.

I prefer to extend the pad 33 downwards upon the sides 34 of thedoor-opening adja-` cent the inner face 36 of the vehicle body, and thusestablish a draft-proof seal throughout at least the major portion ofthe entire periphery of the door. This extended poftion of the pad 33 isindicated at 37 and 38, the portion 37 extending angularly outwards anddownwards, and the portion 38 extending vertically downwards, as clearlyshown upon Fig.`2.' 4

The gutter 32 is also extended as indicated at 39, providing drainspreferably vat each end of the gutter 32, sloping downwards and outwardsto a slot 41 formed in the vertical portion .of the door jamb adjacentthe Outer faces of the door and wall 6. Preferably this slot extends allthe way to the bottom of the door, so as to provide means for conductingany liquid entrapped within lthe gutter 325 to a point where it can notenter the interior of the body.' As will be observed, the slot 41 isoutside the vertical ortion 38 of the pad 33, so that even in t e eventthat the water is not completely confined within the be no possibilityof its entering the vehicle body. Suitable relieved portionsin the sideedges of'the deflected portion 18 of the door 17, may be formed toaccommodate the drains 39.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as hereindisclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle body, ing angularly therefrom, said wall and roof havingan opening therein extending on both sides of the line of juncturethereof and forming a stationary frame around said opening, and aclosure swinging on a vertical axisand complementary to said opening.

2. Ina yvehicle body, a wall, a roof extending angularly therefrom,said-wall and roof having an opening therein extendingon both sides ofthe line of juncture thereof and forming a stationary frame around saidopening, and a closure swinging on a vertical axis and upper portionofsaid closure being deflected Within a wall, a roof extendcomplementaryto said. opening, the

pro- 1 said portion of the opening withinthe roof opening and the doorwithin the roof when when the closure is closed. the door is closed, anda gutter secured to the 3. In a vehicle body," a wall, a roof exedge`ofsaid opening in register with said tending angularly therefrom, saidwall and recess.

roof having an opening therein extending on 8. In a vehicle body, awall, a roof extend- 7 both sides of the line of juncture thereof, aingv angularly therefrom, said wall and roof closure complementary tosaid opening and having an opening therein extending on both hingedlymounted therein, means interposed sides of the line of juncture thereof,a door between said closure and the edge of said hinged to said wall andcomprising a body opening to prevent drafts therepast, yand portioncomplementary to that portion vof 75 means for preventing seepage ofliquid into the opening Within said wall and a deflected Said bodybetween said closure and the edge top portion complementary to thatportion of said opening. of the opening within the roof, the under part4. In a vehicle body, a'wall, a roof extendof said deflected portionbeing relieved to ing angularly therefrom, said wall and roof form arecess between the edges of the openha-ving an opening therein extendingon both 'ing and the door within the roof when the sides of the line ofjuncture thereof, a clodoor is closed, a gutter secured to the edge surehinged to said wall to optionally open of said opening in register withsaid recess, orclose said opening, the upper portion of and a draincommunicating with said gutter said closure being deflected froin thebody at an end thereof and leading to a position thereof and receivablewithin that portion -between said door and wall adjacent their of theopening within the roof when the cloouter faces. sure is closed, agasket interposed between 9. In a Vehicle body, a wall, a roof extendthetop edge* of said closure and the top .edge ing engulaliy therefrom,Said Well and I'OO of said opening, and drain means cooperative iieVingen Opening JC-ilelein eXtending 0n 100th 9 with Said gasket forpreventing seepage of Sides Of the -llie 0f juncture thereof, a dOOYliquid between said closure and the edge of hinged 120 Said Wall andcomprising a body said opening. v portion complementary to that portionof the 5, In a. vehicle body, a, Wall, a roof extend; opening withinsaid wall and a deflected top ing angular-ly therefrom, said wall androof POT'GIOH Onlplementary to that portion of 95 having an openingtherein extending on both the Opening Within the roof, the under partsides of the line of juncture thereof, a clo- 0f Said deflected portionbeing relieved to sure hinged to said wall to optionally open OIIII areCeSS between the edges of the open` 0f Close Said Opening, the upperpoptjon 0f 111g and the dOOI Within the I'OO When the said closure beingdeflectedfrom the body dem' 1s C10-sed @gut-te? secured t0 .the edgethereof and receivable within that portion 0f Seid Opening 1n reglStciwith said recess, of the opening within the roof when the cloand e PadSeeilled t0 Seid door within Said sure is closed, a gasket interposedbetween IeCesS 1n P OSltlOn. 60 PleSSragalnSt the outer the top edge 0fSaid Closure and the top edge of said gutter when the door is closed.

edge of said opening, and a gutter extend-. 10. In a vehicle body,awall, a roof extending below said gasket to deflect leakage therelng,sngllelly tilelefl'em., Seid Wall and IOof past from the interior ofsaid vehicle. havmg n'OPP-mng thslem sXtendmg 011 both G. In a vehiclebody, a wall, a-roof extend- Sides 0f the line of juncture thereof, adoor ing angularly therefrom, said wall and roof hlnged t0 Said Wall andcomprising a body having an opening therein extending on both P01't1911Complementary t0 that P01`t10n 0f the no sides of the line of juncturethereof, a door Openlng Within Said Wall and a dcflectedtop hinged t0Said wall and Comprising a body portion complementary to that portion ofthe portion complementary to that portion of the Openlng Wlthln theI'OO, the linde? Peri'- `0 opening within said wall and a deflected topSad descted Portlon bemg Tshevsd t0 form r portion complementary to thatP01-tion of a recess between the edges of the opening and 11 the openingwithin the roof, and a gutter exthe door within the-,roof whenthe dooris tending below the' edges of said door and Closed, a gutter secured t0the edge of' said opening within the roof when the door is 'Opemng 1nTeglstel Wlth said recess a psd -C1Osedsecured to the edge of saidopening below said i 7. In a vehicle body, a wall, a roof extendgutter,and 2] Ped s eelll'ed t0 Seid d001 Within 120 ing angul arly therefrom,said wall and roof sald recess 1n l20s1t10n t0 Press ,agamst the havinganropening therein extending on both Ontel edge 0f S21-1d glitten andagain-St the pad sides of the line of juncture thereof, a door 011 theedge 0f the Openmg When the dOOllshinged to said wall and comprising abody C10Sedi c F, portion complementary to that portion of 1L IneVeh1e1eb0dy,aWa 1l,aioofeXtend- 12J the opening within said wall and adeiected 111g .angula-Ily theefI'Omp Seid Weil end IOefl top portioncomplementary to that portion havmg an opsnmg ttlssm sxtsndnfl 0n bothof the opening within the roof, the 'under sides of the line of juncturethereof, a door part of saiddeflected portion. being relieved hinged tosaidwall and-comprising a body n to forma recess between the edges ofthe portion complementary to that portion of 1&0

'the opening within said wall and a deflected top portion complementaryto that portion of y the opening within the roof,I the under part ofsaid deflected portion being relieved to l form a recess between theedges of the opening and the door within the roof when the door isclosed, a gutter secured to the edge of said opening in register withsaid recess, a pad secured to the edge of said opening below saidgutterfa pad secured to saidV door within said recess in position topress against the outer edge of said gutter and against the pad on theedge of the opening when the door is closed, and a gasket secured to theedge oi" said deflected portion of the door in position to press againstthe edge of said opening above said gutter when the door is closed.

12. In a Vehicle bqdy, a wall, a roof extending angularly therefrom,said wall and roof having an opening therein extending on both sides ofthe line of juncture thereof, a door hinged to said wall and comprisinga Ybody portion complementary to that portion of the opening within saidwall and a deflected top portion complementary to that portion of theopening within the roof, the under part of said deflected portion beingrelieved to form j a recess between the edges of the opening and thedoor within the roof when the door is closed, a gutter secured to theedge of said opening: in register with said recess, a pad secured to theedge of said opening below said gutter when the door is closed,^ and adrain communicating with said gutter at an end thereofand leading to agroove in a side edge of said opening adjacenththe outer face of saidwall, said groove leading downwards 70 toward the bottom of saidopening. I

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

` LA MAR BRESEE.

ysaid gutter, a pad secured to said door within said recess in positionto press against the outer edge of said gut-ter and against the pad onthe edge of the opening when the door is closed, a gasket secured to theedge of said deflected portion of the door in position to press againstthe edge of said opening above 40 said gutter when the door is closed,and a drain communicating with said gutter at an end thereof and leadingto a position between said door and wall adjacent their outer faces.

13. In a vehicle body, a wall, a roof extending angularly therefrom,said wall and roof having an opening therein extending on both sides ofthe line of juncture thereof, a door hinged to said wall and comprisinga body portion complementary to that portion of the opening within saidwall and a deflected top portion complementary to that portion of theopening within the roof, the under part of said deflected portion. beingrelieved to form a recess between the edges of the opening and the doorwithin the roof when the door is closed, a gutter secured to the edge ofsaid opening in register with said recess, a pad secured to the edge ofsaid opening below said gutter, a pad secured to said door within saidrecess in position to press against the outer edge of said gutter andagainst the pad on the edge of the opening when the door is closed, agasket secured to the edge of said deflected 'portion of the door inposition to press agamst the edge of said opening above

